Two projects were put up for the judgment of the residents of Hertogensbosch - UNStudio and Ector Hoogstad Architecten (their project can be viewed here), and the choice of citizens was to determine 50% of the final decision in favor of one or another option. Almost 2,700 people over the age of 12 took part in the voting, of which 57% voted for UNStudio. In addition, the city authorities interviewed about 5,000 people.
The theater will appear in the very center of the city, next to the famous Cathedral of St. John in the spirit of "Brabant Gothic", and in this context, special tact was required from the architects. In addition, the theater opens onto the main public space of Hertogensbosch - Parade (hence its name) and should become its natural continuation.
The volume of the theater is reminiscent of “geological formations”: two auditoriums faced with natural stone flank the glazed core of the building - the foyer, which, in addition to transparent walls, is linked to the Parade by exactly the same floor level as outside the square. To preserve the views of the cathedral and the existing silhouette of the building, all parts of the building are of the same height, for which the large hall had to be sunk into the ground.
The central foyer, 4 floors (19 m) high, unites all parts of the building; well-thought-out circulation patterns allow the theater to be used for conferences, receptions and other events. Public spaces also include a cafe and a view terrace on the fourth floor.
The large hall for 950 spectators is sheathed with wooden acoustic panels. The smaller, convertible Paradesal for 420 people can be removed from the rows of seats and the stage, so it is suitable for any use scenario. Moreover: in the event of major events on the streets of Hertogensbosch, such as the annual carnival, it can be connected to the Parade by opening the cafe doors and sliding the wall separating the cafe and the hall.
All technical rooms, including dressing rooms, kitchen, unloading areas, etc. placed underground so as not to interfere with the life of the public spaces of the theater and the city.
The construction of the theater "a de Parade" is planned for 2017-2020.
